MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1275 thermostat housing

Any idea what is going on here...

Housing has a plug - unusual?

The studs aren't long enough to fit nuts onto, so it seems the housing isn't actually bolted down?

Yet it runs and (I don't think) leaks (well, not from this bit anyway!). Is everything so corroded together that it works? But surely there is nothing holding the joint and gasket together?!

If it is so corroded, any bright ideas on fixing it?

Looks seriously sketchy to me.

Cheers.
Malc.

Malcolm

I agree that it looks sketchy. The standard housing doesn't have that plug but it does have nuts holding it down. The studs should protrude above the housing enough to accept a nut and washer. Personally, I would replace the housing and the studs and add the nuts and washers. From the picture, it looks like it might be a bit of a chore to remove what's there now.
Martin

The housing is from a different car possibly a Montego or Allegro. The correct one is thinner, does not have a bleed fitting in the top and is held by three 5/16 nuts and washers.
Bob Beaumont

What Bob says.

I think that’s what I used on my last race car, only with longer studs.

Looks like a non-standard fan (possibly export) and the shroud has been removed from the rad.
Dave O'Neill 2

Malc

Looks like a later A Series Plus thermostat housing from a Maestro or Metro, and possibly Morris Ital? Edit - typed this when the were no other responses.

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

I still can't believe it holds coolant. It makes me wonder if it has been glued down or something. It would not surprise me from what I have seen so far.

I'm a little worried for the new owners, I think this car is going to be so much grief for them.

Malc.
Malcolm

Malc,
I wonder if the stat housing has somehow been 'cemented' on, or as you put glued.

The stat housing and it's studs and fixings can be a bit of a pain to remove, on the later 1275 at least. The housings seem to fur up around the studs thus binding themselves, even after only a couple of years mine was reluctant to lift off. A recent thread here will give the suggestions of aiding the removal (use of mallet and stick in outlet part to lever).

On mine at least the very front stud was reluctant to leave the block but came out with use of patience. There are different length studs for vertical and x-flow but also in those supplied. Extra threads for the nut and washer are very useful (I used a plain washer and nyloc when the extra threads were available).

You will also appreciate the extra threads if you use a thick cork gasket. Some of the paper gaskets are extremely thin, so much so that MGOC offer a Q (quality? alternative that's a bit thicker). A few times I've used the Klingersil gasket but it offers nothing more for our cars over the thicker gaskets.

I also add Hylomar Hylotyte Red 100 sealant (instead of the Universal Blue which isn't as good on the cooling system) - as it's semi-hardening I was even able to nip up the nuts I'd left too loose giving a small leak as the engine ran, it sealed and that was with using Forlife which always finds leaks. Just follow the instructions (yeah I know!) on the card.

It'd perhaps be interesting to see which, if any, stat is fitted.

ETA: studs are 5/16" UNC/UNF, I think vertical flow has 2" and I forget x-flow length even though I only recently bought some.
Nigel Atkins

I use pvc or isolation tape to prevent the aluminium thermostat house from binding to the studs. Stainless steel studs are available. They are expensive and do they work?

Flip


Flip Brühl

Malc,
If it an't broken (leaking) leave well alone ;O)

Best of...
MGmike
M McAndrew

This thread was discussed between 30/08/2020 and 31/08/2020

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS now